2015-09-10 Tree Board MinutesEDMONDS CITIZENS' TREE BOARD
APPROVED MINUTES
September 10, 2015
The Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board Meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by Chair Steve
Hatzenbeler in the Brackett Room, 3rd Floor City Hall, 121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, WA.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Steve Hatzenbeler, Chair
Ronald Brightman
Barbara Chase
Barbara Durr
Albert (Jed) Marshall
Rick Zitzmann
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Hatzenbeler called the meeting to order.
2. ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Crane Stavig
Renee Travis (Alternate)
STAFF PRESENT
Jeanne McConnell, Engineering Program Manager
Julia Munger, Consulting Arborist
Julia Munger, Consulting Arborist, Herrera Environmental Consultants, described her background
and experience.
Ms. McConnell explained Ms. Munger is on contract with the City through the end of December.
Development Services Director Shane Hope is coordinating her work and has asked that she be
copied on any correspondence with Ms. Munger.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Board Member Zitzmann moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Board Member Durr. Motion
carried unanimously.
4. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Scott Blomenkamp, Edmonds, referred to comments he made last month regarding the importance
of staff enforcing the code. He reported on the Miscellaneous Permit Review Hearing he had before
the Hearing Examiner where the City Attorney said city administration has the discretion to apply the
code. He relayed the definition of shall, may and removal in the code. At the hearing he referred to
ECDC 18.45.050 which states there shall be no clearing on a site to prepare the site for sale or future
development. Trees may only be removed pursuant to a clearing permit that has been approved by
the city. In his case, trees a developer removed on a site behind him damaged trees on his property.
He summarized for the Tree Board to be effective, the City needs to enforce its codes. The Hearing
Examiner will issue a decision in 10 days; his decision can be reconsidered or appealed to court.
Chair Hatzenbeler requested he keep the Tree Board informed regarding the outcome.
Ken Pierce said the permit department is using the code that the Tree Board proposed last year as
the basis for determining whether trees can be removed. The City denied their arborist's opinion that
several trees on a site are hazardous.
Roger Hertrich, Edmonds, said he lives in a zone where he can and has cut trees on his property.
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The trees he removed allow more sunlight in his yard and eliminated roots damaging his driveway.
He suggested the Tree Board may want to take a stand with regard to the administration's
interpretation of the Tree Code.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
June 4, 2015
Board Member Zitzmann moved to approve the June 4, 2015 minutes; seconded by Board Member
Durr. Motion carried unanimously.
July 2, 2015
The July 2, 2015 meeting was not held due to the lack of a quorum.
August 6, 2015
Several revisions were made to the draft minutes. It was agreed to delay approval until the next
meeting.
6. DISCUSSION
a. Street Tree Plan
Board Member Brightman relayed Brad Shipley, Planning Department, informed him two Street
Tree Plans were submitted to Council, 1) as originally drafted and 2) with the changes he (Board
Member Brightman) suggested. The Council determined it was too late to make adjustments to
tree species without more process. His suggestions will be retained as a starting point for the
2016 Street Tree Plan update.
b. Continue Discussion on Goals and Interests for All Tree Board Members
Board members' suggestions included:
• Build positive publicity for the Tree Board
• Emphasize outreach and education such as the Arbor Day observance, the City's website,
booth at the Farmer's Market, etc.
• Improve citizen awareness and educate the public regarding the value of an urban canopy
• Enhance the Tree Board's website
• Discuss with City Attorney posting Trees of Interest list on the City's website (Board
Member Brightman offered to provide descriptions of the trees on the list)
• Develop Downtown Tree Tour from the ferry up Main Street to Yost Park that could be
posted on City's website (Board Member Brightman offered to develop the tour)
• In addition to information on the website, write articles for My Edmonds News and the
Beacon
• Coordinate planting of native trees with staff in an area on Daley and 8t" where trees were
cut for a sewer project and near the Shell Creek emergency access
• Replace the ailing flowering cherry trees in front of City Hall with appropriate trees
Board Members and the audience discussed ensuring appropriate trees are used as street trees,
organizing tree plantings to replace ailing street trees, inviting service groups and/or citizens to
fund tree plantings, the Tree Board developing a list of approved trees, improving access to
information regarding trees in the City's code, addressing tree height in the Comprehensive Plan,
street trees versus right-of-way trees, phasing out failing trees, and phasing the removal street
trees.
c. Staff Arborist
Chair Hatzenbeler relayed Debra Dill, Parks Department, passed the arborist exam and is now
the Parks Arborist. She is in charge of the Parks Flower Program and also the Horticulturist and
has an excellent background in tree identification which includes diagnosing various types of tree
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problems. Edmonds does not have a City Arborist but Ms. Dill is a potential in-house resource. It
was suggested Ms. Dill speak to the Tree Board.
Discussion followed regarding consulting the Parks Arborist regarding tree health and safety, Ms.
Dill's responsibilities as a Parks employee, and the need for a City Arborist.
d. New Tree Board Vice Chair
Chair Hatzenbeler described the role of Vice Chair and invited a board member to serve as Vice
Chair. Board Member Marshall volunteered to serve as Vice Chair.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Climate Protection Committee Meeting Recap
Chair Hatzenbeler invited board members to join him at the CPC's November 5 meeting at 8:45
a.m. in the Fourtner Room at City Hall. He will provide a report at the next meeting.
b. Tree Board Staff Support Julia Munger
Chair Hatzenbeler reviewed tasks Ms. Munger will focus on.
• Attending Tree Board's monthly meetings and helping address questions/information
about tree issues, especially to follow up with City departments as needed;
• Coordinating/developing the Tree Board's application (with Board input) to continue being
certified for Tree City USA
• Facilitating the planning of an Arbor Day event, including ideas for outreach and education
• Taking summary notes at the monthly Board meetings and providing other information
and support, as time allows
It was the Board's preference to have Ms. Munger provide support to the Tree Board and Ms.
Dines take minutes at meetings.
c. Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation
Chair Hatzenbeler reported a tree planting in observation of Arbor Day is planned on October 17
at 10:00 a.m. at Yost Park. Discussion followed regarding ways to publicize the event such as
articles in My Edmonds News and the Beacon and involving Economic Development &
Community Services Director Patrick Doherty, a suggestion to plant more than three trees, prep
work staff will need to do prior to the event, and other potential activities at the event.
Chair Hatzenbeler will confer with Rich Lindsay regarding plans for the event. Board Members
Durr, Chase and Zitzmann will meet with Ms. Munger to develop a program for the event and
report to the board via email within two weeks.
8. TREE BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Board Member Marshall requested a copy of the Tree Code the Tree Board proposed.
In response to a question from Chair Hatzenbeler, Mr. Blomenkamp reported on how the trees on his lot
fared in the windstorm. A brief discussion followed regarding the development code rewrite.
9. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, November 5 6:00 p.m., Brackett Room, City Hall
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